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Gay Guide
The gay scene in Cardiff is focused on two main areas - Charles Street in the heart of the city centre and Bute Terrace, close to the train station. Both are minutes away from St. Mary Street - Cardiff's main bar area, and Queen Street, the main shopping area in the city.
Nightlife
Cardiff is known for its lively Nightlife, which reaches its peak on St Mary street on a Friday and Saturday night. The gay scene is focused around Charles Street and Bute Terrace - around ten minutes walk from each other, and Mermaid Quay in Cardiff Bay now offers an alternative to the city centre scene. Cardiff also has a several theatres, cinemas and is host to numerous festivals throughout the year.
Pulse Bar, winner of the 2008 Pink Paper Readers' Awards - Best bar in Wales. Located on Churchill Way, over 3 floors this is one of Cardiff's newest and largest nightclubs. The basement is the main dancefloor and on Sundays the Cabaret Club takes over.
The Kings Cross. A popular gar bar on the corner of the city's café quarter. The large ground floor bar serves snacks and light meals, and regular events include karaoke and stand-up comedy.
Golden Cross Pub Originally a girlie-bar for sailors in the 19th century coal boom, the Golden Cross is now one of Cardiff's most popular gay venues, and in 2004 was voted as the best gay pub in the UK. Regular entertainment includes local and international drag acts, strippers and a traditional pub quiz. Food is served until early evening in generous quantities.
KX Previously known as the King's Cross, this popular gay bar sits on the corner of the city's café quarter. The large ground floor bar serves snacks and light meals and regular events include stand up comedy, karaoke and live DJ's.
Icon Bar - Cardiff's newest gay venue, a recently refurbished bar and club on Charles Street - Cardiff's main gay area. Exit Club A small pub club in the heart of the city's gay area. Live music, regular club nights and a friendly, attitude-free atmosphere.
Club X The largest gay and gay-friendly venue in Cardiff. The club features two dance floors, three bars, a games rooms and a covered garden terrace. Fusion room plays hard-house, dance and pop, or the Camp room plays disco classics and party music. Karaoke and drag queens add to the entertainment.
Minskys Cardiff's only cabaret bar that specialises in drag queen shows. Shows are on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, but the bar and lunchtime restaurant are open all week.
Mardi Gras
Cardiff has hosted an annual Mardi Gras since 1999, which has become the largest and most popular Gay Pride event in Wales. Attracting an audience of more than 40,000, the event includes performances from chart-topping acts, comedy, dance music, stalls and tents offering information and advice, as well as a funfair. Unfortunately due to funding, this year's Mardi Gras has been cancelled. For more information...
Shopping
Plenty of pedestrianised streets and undercover malls make Cardiff a popular shopping destination. Don't miss the Victorian and Edwardian arcades that criss-cross through the city centre. All manner of uniquely Welsh gifts can be found in these arcades. Find contemporary, handmade Welsh textiles in Melin Tregwynt in Royal Arcade, Welsh kilts and retro clothes in High Street Arcade, and Welsh love spoons and rugby shirts in Duke arcade. Fashion is the main draw for Morgan and Castle arcades, find designer goods in stores such as Woodenwood, Floyds or FairTrade fashion store, Oyster.
Accommodation
Cardiff boasts a wide selection of accommodation, from five star luxury hotels to friendly B&B's. Below are details of Cardiff's most popular gay friendly hotels and guesthouses.
A Space in the City - the widest range of short stay or ‘serviced’ apartments in the Cardiff area.
The Avenue Guesthouse - located at Cathedral road, close to the city centre
Best Western Heronston - hotel and leisure club in Bridgend
Big Sleep Hotel - stylish budget hotel in an ideal location for anyone heading to a concert at Cardiff International Arena, and just minutes away from Cardiff city centre.
Bryngarw Country House
Ceredwyn Cottage
Celtic Manor - five star golf and spa resort near Newport. Will host the Ryder Cup in 2010.
Crossways Manor
Express by Holiday Inn Cardiff Bay
Express by Holiday Inn Cardiff Airport - 111 room hotel easily accessible by road, rail and air. Passengers arriving in Cardiff airport can make use of the Complimentary Shuttle bus from the Passenger Terminal.
Mercure Holland House & Spa four star hotel and spa, minutes away from Queen Street.
Ibis Hotel Cardiff Gate - 78-room hotel located in the Cardiff Gate Business Park, a 15-minute drive from the centre of Cardiff and the castle and with easy access from M4 (exit Junction 30).
Jolyon's Hotel - the city’s first boutique hotel offers six glamorous rooms, decorated with an eclectic blend of furniture and style.
Marriott Hotel - four star hotel in the city centre, opposite the cafe quarter in Mill Lane.
Park Plaza - four star 129 room hotel just minutes away from Cardiff’s cultural highlights and within a stones throw of the city’s main shopping area.
Quality Hotel Cardiff - three star budget hotel with easy access to the M4.
Royal Hotel - famed for hosting a farewell dinner for Captain Scott. All 64 contemporary bedrooms feature either LCD or plasma screen televisions, DVD’s and CD players, award-winning hypnos beds, and 100% Egyptian percale cotton bed-linen.
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